(INDIANAPOLIS) - Downtown Indy's network of glassed-in walkways will soon stretch further to the south.

The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority has awarded a 12-million dollar contract to build an enclosed walkway connecting the expanded convention center to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Unlike the "gerbil tubes" linking the convention center to downtown hotels, this connector will be at street level, running along Capitol Avenue from Georgia Street to South Street.

At that point, an elevator and escalator will take visitors below ground to enter Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indianapolis based F.A. Wilhelm will also enclose the walkway connecting the stadium to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

When the project is complete next year, you'll be able to walk from the Crowne Plaza on the south side of downtown to the embassy suites and the Conrad to the north, and visit Circle Centre Mall, The Indiana Roof Ballroom, the stadium and the convention center in between, without ever setting foot outside.

The completed walkway will be part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail as the city adds the trail's western leg.

The walkway is the last major construction contract to be awarded for the convention center project, although some smaller contracts still must be bid.